University of Michigan cornerback Charles Woodson poses with his mother, Georgia Woodson, and the Heisman Trophy in 1997 after becoming the first primarily defensive player to win the award in the modern era. / AP file photo

Green Bay's Charles Woodson, a Fremont native, tries to defend a pass intended for Detroit's Calvin Johnson. Woodson was the NFL Defensive Player of the Year in 2009. / AP file photo

More

ADVERTISEMENT

FREMONT — Charles Woodson dreamed of his destiny long before achieving it.

“I’m going to be the best football player Ross has had,” the 10-year-old nicknamed “Poochie” told Bob Marker, the longtime Fremont News-Messenger sports editor. “I’m going to be Mr. Football. I’m going to Michigan, and I’ll win the Heisman Trophy.”

It’s not unusual to hear such a boastful tone from a child of that age. But fulfilling each of those aims puts one in the category of legends.

Woodson certainly was that.

The only thing that kept him from the Fremont Ross varsity team as a freshman was the edict of his mother, Georgia. However, when Woodson began competing at the top level as a sophomore, he was a sight to behold.

He starred on the Little Giants 1992 defense, finishing second on the team with 79 tackles and leading it with six interceptions. On special teams, he averaged 18.3 yards per punt return, and 23.7 yards per kick return. Coach Rex Radeloff offered Woodson spot duty on offense, and he responded with 19 catches for 349 yards (18.4 avg.) and four touchdowns. He chipped in 305 yards rushing on 37 attempts (8.2 avg.) and three more TDs.

Fremont went 6-4 and was improving.

“I had a pretty good year on defense, and I liked the feeling I had on the defensive side of the ball,” Woodson told The (Toledo) Blade in 1995.

As a junior, his role expanded — as did the Little Giants success. Woodson gained 1,528 yards (6.8 avg.) and scored 25 touchdowns at running back. He caught 15 passes for 197 yards and another score. On defense, he had 49 tackles, three interceptions and again was the team’s ace returner.

Fremont went 9-1 in 1993, was ranked No. 8 in the final state poll, and was an extra point away from an undefeated season after a 7-6 loss to Fostoria.

As a senior, Woodson rushed for 2,028 yards (9.3 avg.) and 32 touchdowns. He caught 10 passes for 160 yards and another touchdown. Defensively, he notched 87 tackles and four interceptions. Fremont lost the opener to Tiffin Columbian and again stumbled against Fostoria (a game Woodson missed with bursitis). However, it rebounded to win its first Great Lakes League title and qualify for the postseason.

Playing against Massillon in the first round, Woodson ran for 228 yards and four TDs in a valiant effort. But the Tigers topped Fremont, 35-28, ending Woodson’s spectacular prep career.

“They may have had better athletes than we did, but we had the best athlete on the field,” Radeloff said in Vince Guerreri’s work “The Blue Streaks and Little Giants.”

As a prepster, Woodson amassed 3,861 yards rushing, 706 yards receiving and scored 466 points. Defensively, he made 215 tackles and intercepted 13 passes. Charles was a USA Today High School All-America selection and a Parade Magazine All-American.

Fulfilling his goal, he was named Ohio’s Mr. Football in a landslide. However, he had no intention of staying in-state; Woodson’s older brother, Terry Carter, was a Michigan fan, and Woodson followed suit.

“There are a lot of people pretty upset that I didn’t even take a visit to Ohio State, but you can’t worry about that,” Woodson said.

He would make Buckeye fans far angrier with his play during the next three years. Woodson started every game save for the opener against Virginia his freshman season. With prototypical size at 6-foot-1, 200 pounds, the fleet cornerback flashed elite ball skills and playmaking ability.

He netted 55 tackles and five interceptions in 1995, including two huge picks against Ohio State. The Wolverines were a so-so 9-4, but stunned the undefeated and second-ranked Buckeyes, 31-23, as Woodson blanketed Ohio State star wideout Terry Glenn.

In 1996, coach Lloyd Carr began utilizing the Fremont native’s all-around skills. Woodson caught 13 passes for 164 yards and a score, and also ran six times for 152 yards and a TD, including a 57-yard blast. Defensively, he recorded 63 tackles and five interceptions. Michigan was 8-4, but again ruined Ohio State’s bid for an undefeated season with a shocking, 13-9 upset in Columbus.

The 1997 campaign would be different for the Wolverines and Woodson. Now playing a myriad of roles — cornerback, receiver and special teams demon — he was the best player in the nation, and spearheaded the top team.

Michigan went undefeated and claimed the Big Ten championship after dispatching No. 4 Ohio State, 20-14. Woodson again was the Buckeye slayer, intercepting a pass in the end zone and returning a punt for a touchdown — each play saving the game for the Wolverines.

“I think it’s obvious he’s the best player in America,” Michigan quarterback Brian Griese. “What he did ... was unbelievable.”

In the Rose Bowl, Woodson intercepted another pass in the end zone to thwart a threat as Michigan downed Washington State for the national championship. Woodson concluded his season with 44 tackles, seven interceptions and had 238 yards receiving and 301 return yards with three touchdowns.

For his career, Woodson notched 162 tackles, 18 interceptions, 485 receiving yards, 402 return yards and four scores. He also fulfilled his prophecy of winning the Heisman Trophy, the first predominantly defensive player to earn that distinction in the modern era.

With the NFL beckoning, he turned pro a year early and still is playing in the secondary at age 37. He was an Oakland Raider from 1998 to 2005, then a Green Bay Packer from 2006 to 2012. This season, he’s back in Oakland and has pushed his total to 55 career interceptions and 12 TDs.

In 2009, Woodson was the NFL’s defensive MVP, a remarkable achievement for a 33-year-old playing in the secondary.

“He’s had two or three games that I can’t imagine any defensive player in the league having better games,” said Dom Capers, Green Bay’s defensive coordinator.

Woodson has played in two Super Bowls and was part of the Packers 2010 title team. Experts agree he is a shoe-in for the College and Pro Football Halls of Fame once he becomes eligible after retirement.